Kiwi polo player Sam Hopkinson shares his favourite holiday memories
Where are your strongest memories from the first overseas trip you ever took?
The first trip I took for polo was to the UK to work as a groom for Ross Ainsley, one of the world's best polo players. I flew from Auckland to Dubai to London on a freight plane carrying 12 polo ponies, three racehorses and a very large Rolls Royce for a member of the Dubai royal family. I remember spending most of the trip sitting in the Rolls Royce with the seat laid back. It was the closest to travelling First Class I would ever get! I arrived in London at 5am on a freezing cold foggy morning. After unloading the plane and dealing with the horses we travelled to Cowdray in a horse truck. Although I was completely exhausted I can vividly remember the excitement. I still get that same feeling when I land in London to this day.
What was a standard family holiday like when growing up?
Most school holidays, when not lamb marking or shearing, were at a small settlement on Lake Taupō called Hatepe. My grandfather had built a small fishing hut after the war that has evolved into a slightly bigger family bach. Time was spent swimming, water skiing and exploring up the river with my cousins. It's still a very special place for our family with the fondest of memories.
